Invitation

Achieving Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation services for everyone is one of the global Sustainable Development Goals to be reached by 2030. To meet this target we need to be creative, think and act out of the box, and use a much greater range of practical solutions. And above all it will require commitment and hard work by change agents, professional organisations and communities at the local level. This programme will contribute knowledge and skills that will make a difference in the local context at city-level, and in the long run also for the World.

We strive to deepen and expand the participants’ knowledge and capabilities in his/her professional area and also to strengthen the professional exchange between participants. Each participant contributes their own unique experience and background which enriches the learning and collaborative exchange process among participants, facilitators and experts. The programme has a regional outreach that strengthens professional networks within and between the represented countries.

Sida has commissioned NIRAS and WaterAid to jointly implement an advanced international training programme on Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation – Integrated Processes. We are seeking collaborative organisations active in urban water and sanitation, ready to engage in processes for change and to invest in capable and engaged employees as potential change agents. We trust that you will find the programme interesting and hereby invite you to nominate candidates.

Objectives

This International Training Programme’s overarching objective is to contribute to planning and implementation for more sustainable urban water and sanitation services, where the rights, needs and demands of all citizens, including those of marginalised groups, are taken into account.

The term sustainability addresses environmental, social and economic long-term factors. Sustainability can be achieved only through an increased awareness of the need for integrated approaches and for long-term systems and by supporting key organisations in their processes for such a change.

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTICIPANT

Increased knowledge of methods and tools for planning of sustainable urban water and sanitation systems

Professional support for more sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation services

Educated and encouraged staff that will help achieve your strategic goals

Collaboration opportunities with various organisations, experts and agencies

Target Group

Candidates may be nominated by authorities, institutions, universities, NGOs, water utilities or other private companies active in the water and sanitation sector.

The programme is primarily targeting organisations, not individuals, and efforts will be made to establish long-term relationships with key organisations. Such collaborative organisations should be willing to commit themselves to participation over several years and to cooperate with other organisations in the programme. Capacity and interest to drive change processes to achieve their long-term goals, and a certain level of influence on the water and sanitation sector, is a prerequisite to become a collaborative organisation. Candidates from collaborative organisations may be prioritised.

Applicants to the programme should:

hold a key position in their organisation, with influence on a strategic level

have the engagement and power to initiate and drive change processes;

hold a relevant academic degree; and

be available and motivated for active participation through the whole training programme.

Invited countries and areas:

Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

To promote actual collaboration and integration between participants in their national working context, the programme aims to gather organisations operating in the same geographical area. The programme is therefore focusing on the following areas:

Kenya – Nakuru

Rwanda - Eastern Province

Tanzania - Temke, Dar es Salaam

Uganda - Kampala

Zambia - Ndola

Organisations working in other areas than the above, are also welcome to nominate candidates, but should be aware of the priority given to the selected areas.

Contents

The programme will address the following four priority themes:

Systems that Deliver – How to develop and transform systems to realize the human right to water and sanitation, and what it takes in terms of addressing governance, standards, decision-making processes, finance, and inclusion of marginalised groups.

Sustainable Solutions – How to find approaches, practices and technology that is contributing to more sustainable service provision, as use and reuse of water, innovative sanitation solutions and new methods of improving hygiene practices.

Integrated Approaches – How to work holistically with urban development, manage conflicting goals, increase synergies across sectors and spur collaboration between organisations and institutions at city-level and beyond.

Organisational Change – How to work as a change agent and manage change processes that will strengthen the organization's ability to support and deliver imporved water, sanitation and hygiene activities and services.